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The Future of Judaism is Here, NowFebruary 2002From the Desk of Rabbi CohonHaving recently returned from a series of conventions, two facts about the American Jewish community have become clear. The first is that the most dynamic, creative, and fastest-growing part of the Jewish world today is the liberal synagogue movement. And the second is that we at Temple Emanu-El are on the cutting edge of that trend. Temples are teaching Judaism to children and adults, providing life-cycle celebrations and ceremonies, burying the dead and consoling the bereaved, counseling those in distress, helping people pray and reach towards God, and creating community through caring for the young, the old, the sick, the disadvantaged and the lonely. Quality congregations are warm, nurturing, inspirational, profoundly Jewish centers for everyone from preschool-age families to AARP members—and their parents! As individual temples and as part of greater movements, we are reaching out to involve and integrate Jews who have lost all connection with their heritage, and we are welcoming new members—and new Jews-by-choice—into the greater community of Am Yisrael, the people of Israel. We are the dynamic heart of virtually all positive change in the Jewish community of America today. The early statistics of the new Year 2000 Jewish population survey bear this out, as does the remarkable growth in the Reform movement, both in affiliated congregations and in the number of Jews affiliated. The simple fact of the matter is that there are more Reform congregations every year, and there are more members in those congregations, on average, than ever before. Our own growth here at Temple Emanu-El—from approximately 350 families two and half years ago to close to 700 families today—is certainly proof that synagogues can experience rapid growth in quality and quantity in ways unimagined in other parts of the Jewish communal world. While other Jewish organizations have struggled to maintain their numbers and increased their financial solicitations to the same population, temples continue to grow and serve far more Jews than any other part of the Jewish organizational world. And as our members' needs change, we are also providing Jewish services in new and innovative ways. On average, temples are much busier places than they have ever been, featuring preschools, family education, comprehensive adult Jewish learning, and liturgical and musical choices, as well as more traditional life-cycle, Shabbat, festival and affinity group programming. Not long ago you would hear how temples were "out of date" or "failing to reach today's Jews". While we here at Emanu-El still have not reached our goals—we are trying to be the finest congregation we can be, and reach every unaffiliated Jew in Tucson—we are making remarkable progress, and we are not alone. It seems that 21st century Jews are not looking for vapid generalizations about "continuity" or some form of value-less Judaism-by-association, nor are they seeking "neutral places". They are looking for meaning, connection, and God, and they are finding it at temple. Come and join us for services, classes, a hike, a mitzvah project, or any of our array of great Jewish activities. Or join a committee or volunteer group and help us create an enduring, warm, and powerful Judaism for all of Tucson. L'Shalom v'reiut, in peace and harmony, |
